Asia Bahrain 394.000 visitors have been registered in state-run heritage sites in January-August 2026, with the Bahrain Fort accounting for 246.409, nearly two thirds of the total, and foreign visitors prevailed with the presence of 187.567 people
Asia Sri Lanka The Ministry of Environment has hired 136 new environmental officers who will be assigned to the district secretariats to assist in the work carried out by the Ministry, the Central Environment Authority and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau
Africa Mauritania The country is exploring its renewable energy potential; according to the United Nations Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the country's location makes it ideal for solar and wind energy
Asia Armenia Yerevan draws the attention of the international community, reporting that Baku has repeatedly violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic by ignoring the ceasefire in the border area
Asia Turkey 2021 was a record year for annual wind installations, with wind farms reaching a capacity of 1750 mwatts; the country generates 56% of its electricity from fossil fuels, coal and natural gas, and the rest from renewable sources, including hydroelectric
Europe Norway For the second year in a row, Christmas shopping increased: Norwegians spent almost 130 billion Norwegian kroner (US$ 14 billion) on Christmas shopping in November and December 2021
America Barbados The country is currently not accepting rapid antigen tests for entry, only PCR; the number of people who have turned up with the wrong tests has exceeded 300
Asia Nepal Two new bird species have been spotted in Nawalparasi during the ongoing waterfowl census, species not found in last year's census, while 10 bird species that were found last year have not appeared so far
Europe Malta The Nationalist Party at the opposition unveiled a package of 12 legislative Bills to fight corruption and mafia-style crimes that will include the creation of a special inquiring magistrate to focus solely on corruption by public officers
Europe Estonia The nominees for the Estonian Music Awards 2022 have been announced; the initiative is a cooperation of the Estonian Music Council and the Estonian Association of Phonogram Producers
Asia Japan The new age limit to be admitted - accompanied by parent or guardian - at hot springs and sento (public baths) in the areas reserved for the opposite sex, is now six; until 2021, children up to 9, regardless of gender, could go with either parents
Asia Vietnam The Can Gio forest, which was destroyed in the Vietnam War by the herbicide known as 'Agent Orange' and has rebuilt to be the green lung of Ho Chi Minh City, is now threatened by a US$ 9 billion building project
Africa Rwanda Rwandan referee Salima Mukansanga, 34, is the first woman selected by the Referees' Commission of the African Football Confederation to referee the African Cup of Nations
Asia Cyprus Authorities confiscated in a Limassol warehouse 975 kilos of loose tobacco, 749.520 cigarettes and 81.400 heated cigarettes, all duty-free